Jayden Black, 11, is a member of the 4-H Amigos Club, one of the longest-running 4-H clubs in Polk County, Florida. He has a passion for showing pygmy goats, and he and his goat Elsa have won many ribbons and trophies together. This year, Elsa gave birth to Blizzy, a new addition to Jayden’s herd. This summer, he’ll be competing in the National Pygmy Goat Convention in Ohio, where his goal is to win youth showmanship.

UPDATE: Jayden won second place in the intermediate championship round at the 2018 National Pygmy Goat Convention in Wooster, Ohio. Congratulations!

Submitted by Deanna Black

Jayden Black, 11, is a member of the 4-H Amigos Club, one of the longest-running 4-H clubs in Polk County, Florida. He has a passion for showing pygmy goats, and he and his goat Elsa have won many ribbons and trophies together. This year, Elsa gave birth to Blizzy, a new addition to Jayden’s herd. This summer, he’ll be competing in the National Pygmy Goat Convention in Ohio, where his goal is to win youth showmanship.

Jayden has been in 4-H now for three years but also competed as a Cloverbud. He is in the Amigos 4-H club, one of the longest running clubs in Polk County. His great grandmother started it for his grandfather and continued it for his dad.

Jayden asked to be in 4-H because he wanted to show by himself. His grandmother Deanna soon found Pygmy Goats.

He has learned so much since that first show at the Florida State with his borrowed goat. He now is one of two youth that have a registered herd in the state of Florida. He and his goat Elsa have won 4 buckles and 3 Grand Championships together.

“I would not have the confidence to do this if not for 4-H,” Jayden said.

Jayden has competed in public speaking and the last three years won at the county level and was able to compete at Districts. Jayden also participates in 4-H archery, woodworking, cooking, poultry, rabbits and horticulture. This year at the fair he won junior archery with compound bow, champion commercial chicken, grand and reserve Pygmy Goat plus junior showmanship, and two tri-colors with a lamp and acrylic pen he made.
“4-H is in my blood and hope to keep it going on more many generations in my family,” he said.

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